Deirdre Scanlan

Singing from an early age Deirdre Scanlan from Ballina, Co Tipperary, has been at the forefront of traditional and contemporary Irish music for a number of years. An all Ireland champion at junior and senior level Deirdre is an accomplished solo and ensemble performer. 

Deirdre’s debut recording ‘Speak Softly’ which included some of her own original song was released to critical acclaim and brought her to the attention of the Irish American traditional group ‘Solas.' From 1999 to 2007 she took centre stage as lead vocalist with the group touring extensively throughout the US, Japan and Europe. 

She has performed on a variety of stages from London’s West End to Radio City Music Hall NYC as well as headlining numerous international festivals, some of which include The Cambridge Folk Festival, Celtic Connections and Lorient Interceltic Festival.

In 2007 Deirdre left Solas and returned home to Ireland a move that has allowed Deirdre to return to her traditional singing and teaching roots. Currently she is taking a career break from her role as a primary school teacher in Tipperary. A much sought after song tutor she has given workshops at festivals including Feakle Festival, the Geordie Hannah Traditional Singing Weekend, South Sligo Summer School and Scoil Eigse at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. She has given master-classes to MA and BA students at the Irish World Academy of Music and is now teaching traditional singing at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in the University of Limerick.   

Deirdre was previously a member of the Coiste Ceoil, a sub-committee of the Ardchomhairle of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, where she engaged in the promotion of traditional singing, as well as facilitating Fleadh Cheoil adjudication seminars in Ireland and the UK. In 2018 Deirdre was presented with a 'Bardic Award' by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in recognition of her work in the promotion of traditional singing, in both English and Irish.

Her media credits include, The Late Late Show, TG4’s ‘Spillane an Fánaí’, ‘Na Bailéid’ with John Spillane and Fleadh TV. An accomplished fiddle player Deirdre teaches traditional singing and fiddle with Droichead Trad in Killaloe Co Clare, she is also co-founder and co-ordinator of Kincora Trad Fest in Killaloe and Ballina.